Bryant applauds defeat of bill banning bump stocks

Citing the possible closing of a shooting and recreation complex in Southern Illinois if a controversial bill was passed, Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) joined others in defeating House Bill 4117.

In an open letter to constituents, Bryant said she opposed the bill referred to as the "bump stock" ban because it “would make criminals out of law-abiding gun owners and threaten the very existence of the Sparta World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Southern Illinois.”

The complex, Bryant said, brings thousands of visitors to the area annually and has an estimated economic impact of $24 million per year.

Competitive marksmen often make modifications to their weapons to increase firing speeds and boost accuracy, she wrote, and HB 4117 would have outlawed many of these modifications in Illinois.

The bill was defeated 48-54 on Oct. 27.

"I am also opposed to this bill because it would infringe on the ability of disabled individuals to exercise their 2nd Amendment rights," Bryant said. "It should go without saying that turning thousands of law-abiding gun owners in Illinois into criminals is not good public policy. I am proud to have stood against this overreaching gun-grab and I am glad that it was defeated."